Legal Question in Education Law in California

My son is a student at Heald College. He is now in his second quarter. When he started at Heald they told him that he would have his financial aid thirty days after he started classes. Thirty days passed and no financial aid. They told him over and over again maybe next week. Constantly giving him one excuse after another. Part of his financial aid is for living expenses. He has a wife who is student and three children, and is struggling trying to support his family and trying to get an education. He is currently facing an eviction from his apartment and has explained this to the school and pleaded for them to do something about his financial aid. He finally contacted the financial aid agency and was told that no financial request has been submitted by Heald. That they only have his promissary note. Heald told him today that they did not submit his financial request on time and now they won't give him aid because its too late. Heald therefor told my son that he is responsible for paying the school over $3000.00. If he starts making payments and continues at their school then he would get about $2000.00 for his next quarter in about thirty days. Should he be responsible for the $3000.00? Does he have any legal recourse?


Asked on 10/07/10, 7:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Andrew Harrell W. Andrew Harrell, Attorney at Law

If indeed your son provided the proper application for financial aid and, in reliance on Heald submitting the application on a timely basis, arranged to attend classes in lieu of attending another school, working, etc., then the school is liable. It appears that Heald is trying to collect the $3,000 as fees and tuition. They have every right to collect this only if your son actually took classes and received a benefit from Heald. See: www.higheredjustice.com

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Answered on 10/13/10, 9:46 pm


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